Navajo Sand Painting

Navajo Sandpaintings, also called dry paintings, are called "places where the gods come and go" in the Navajo language. They are used in curing ceremonies in which the gods' help is requested for harvests and healing.

The figures in sand paintings are symbolic representations of a story in Navajo mythology. They depict objects like the sacred mountains where the gods live, or legendary visions, or they illustrate dances or chants performed in rituals.

Sandpaintings
The sandpaintings ['iikááh] with which you are familiar are only small, incomplete renditions of the sandpaintings ['iikááh] used by the Navajo in their ceremonials. One atypical sandpainting ['iikááh] was seen on Day 1. These small (< 2' × 2') sand paintings ['iikááh] are made as trade items, for sale to tourists and collectors.

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